ABUJA: Sifax Group has made further inroad into the shipping sector of the economy as it has joined forces with the first privately-owned African shipping line, MNM African Shipping Line, which started operation two months ago.
Already, MNM African Shipping Line has appointed two subsidiaries of Sifax Group, Sifax Shipping Nigeria Limited and Sifax Ghana Limited as its official agents in Nigeria and Ghana respectively
The new shipping line, which made its first call at Barcelona port in March 2015 with a vessel called “Orient Spirit”, has begun a fortnightly shipping service that will service ports in Southern Europe,Morocco and the West Coast of Africa.
These were disclosed by the firm at a media parley it organised in Lagos to formally unveiled its new image maker, Mr. Olamuyiwa Akande and Mr. Oliver Omajuwa as its new General Manager.
Speaking at the parley, the Managing Director of MNM African Shipping Line, Mr. Machaus Brimsme, who described the company as being unique and something that has never happened before said its first vessel, Orient Spirit is billed to arrive in Nigerian this month.
Brimsme said the new shipping line which is based in Morocco has its initial coverage to be from Barcelona to Morocco, Darkar to Ivory Coast and Ghana and to other African countries ports that have not been directly connected to Lagos.
According to him, “with this service, we hope to connect Lagos, Africa and the rest of other ports not directly connected to Lagos, especially new ports like Barcelona that has never been directly connected, Conakry, Dakar other ports that need to be connected to the largest economy in West Africa, which Sifax Group will play a key role.”
“Some of the ports that the new line, which is the only African container line, would be servicing include those of Barcelona, ​​Sagunto, Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, Nouakchott, Dakar, Conakry, Lagos, Tema and Abidjan.”
The creation of MNM African Shipping Line, which is based in Tangier, Morocco, has meant the emergence of a new actor on the African maritime and logistics landscape, which aims to respond to international trade in Morocco and West Africa countries.
To take advantage of the experience of Sifax Group across the West Coast, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, the new line has formed a partnership with the organization, which would serve as its agents both in Nigeria and Ghana.
Speaking on the relationship with Sifax Group, MNM’s Director of Commercial and Marketing, Mr. Manal Guemmah, said the appointment further validates the experience, integrity and high business rating that it enjoys in its areas of operations.
“MNM’s market entry strategy involves forming alliances with organisations and businesses that share similar business vision and philosophy with our company. Sifax Group has distinguished itself in Nigeria’s maritime industry for about three decades.
Its experience is solid while its drive for excellence and success is inspiring. We are highly privileged to enter into this partnership with Sifax Group both in Ghana and Nigeria”, he said.
Also speaking, the Head of Shipping, Sifax Group, Mr. Henry Ajoh, expressed the readiness of the company to deliver the excellent value that has become its trade mark over the years.
“This partnership with MNM will deepen our participation and contribution in facilitating international trade across Africa and Europe. We have been deploying all our resources and expertise to make the business venture a massive success. We have had extensive discussions with importers, exporters, local agents, government agencies in order to achieve all set objectives,” he said.
Confirming Sifax Group’s readiness and commitment to foster a business relation that would not only be beneficial to investors and stakeholders but that that portend economic boom to the country in the nearest future, he said SIFAX will play a key role in MNM’s operations.
